I stirred in my sleep and rolled into a rock-hard chest. Startled, I remembered the pleasurable night that I had with Derrick last night.
Mom had said it would work, making a man feel guilty will make him act right and rejuvenate his feelings for you.
With Derrick, considering the history that we have had, Mom had been too sure that this tactic was going to work, and it sure did.
The sex had been so good that I did not realize that I was really in love with Derrick. It scared me that I lied about confirming him being my mate. Even though I was his, I hoped that what, I felt, was enough to match the mate bonding.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He said, smiling from his sleep. He seemed to have totally changed overnight, and it even scared me a bit.
“Good morning Derrick,” I said, mustering as much warmth as I could.
“You don’t have to reciprocate my feelings immediately. I will be patient. I already ordered breakfast to be sent upstairs for us.” He said and kissed my forehead.
“Alright. Let me go and brush my teeth. Maybe throw in a shower. I feel so grimy after everything you did to me last night.” I teased and he blushed furiously. The smile on his face was soothing, and it warmed my heart in more ways than I could think of.
I was going to keep up with the facade. It seemed too beautiful for me like a dream finally came true.
“If you keep looking at me like that, I will have to get more grime on you.” He teased and smacked his lips.
A knock sounded on the door and I rushed into the bathroom, while he wore his clothes that strewed around the room. He also picked up some of mine and disposed of them in the trash.
I didn’t feel bad, I knew the clothes had to go anyway.
“Be there in a minute.” He yelled, his voice sounding better than I could remember.
By the time I came out of the shower, he had arranged a dining table for two on the balcony.
“Took you long enough.” He said as soon as he saw me and began to walk towards me. When he got to me, he gathered me in his arms and kissed me deeply.
“I need to wear something. If you have not noticed, I am stark naked, Derrick.” I protested when he carried me out of the room to the balcony.
“You are all dressed up for me, or should I say dressed down.” he teased and drew out a silk robe, putting it carefully on my body before securing it at the waist.
“You should have just told me you had a robe prepared.” I smiled as he sat me carefully on a seat and served me my meal.
After the meal, which was filled with more laughter than we had ever had, a knock sounded on the door, this time more urgently than it did before.
“Work?” I asked him, my mood dampening at the thought of him leaving me to do something else.
“I already called in. They would not dare to reach out to me.” He said, his aura darkening, causing me to shrink back in fear.
“Should I get it?” I asked him, unsure of what to say.
“Okay. You should.” He said, and I was surprised because he would naturally have said I shouldn’t.
“Alright. Give me a moment.” I said and walked to the door. When I opened it, one of the servants handed me a note.
“For you Luna.” He said politely, and I almost bit my tongue in shock.
“Thank… Thank you.” I stuttered. Surprised that someone finally respected me enough to politely call me that name.
I opened the note and was surprised to see the words that were inscribed on it, turning to look at Derrick, he was on his knees with a diamond ring that sparkled when caught in the angle of the morning sunlight.
“Derrick… Derrick, you are asking me to…” I trailed off, the tears filling my eyes.
“Yes, I am. Everything the note said. Will you marry me?” He asked, his face looking at me expectantly.
“I don’t…” I trailed off again as I began to cry profusely. He knelt there, confused and unsure of what to do.
“I will. I will marry you, Derrick” I managed to say after putting my emotions together. He heaved a sigh of relief.
“I was so scared. Thought you wanted to say no. Might have just jumped off the balcony.” He teased me and I laughed tearfully.
“Why did it take you so long?” I asked.
“It didn’t take me so long to be with you, I just want everyone to respect you better now by placing the value you deserve on you.” He replied and kissed me gently on the cheeks.
“You are going to make me cry,” I said and laughed against his rock-hard chest.
“Alpha! Alpha Derrick!” We heard voices and the sound of footsteps stomping to the door of his chambers.
The warning alarm began to ring in the Pack Centre, notifying everyone that there was danger and should stay indoors until they heard it ring again.
“I’ve got to go,” Derrick said, planting one last hard kiss on my lips before rushing out of the room, struggling to arrange his clothes.
“Something has happened. There was a fire.” I heard one of the men say to him just before the door was shut.
By the time I got to the back of the door to eavesdrop on their conversation, I heard the men rushing downstairs and shrugged my shoulders. It was probably nothing serious, so I concluded and finished my breakfast.
He came back a few hours later when I was waking up from a nap. I didn’t even know how I fell asleep, most likely when I was busy admiring the diamond ring that Derrick had proposed to me with.
“Hey baby, are you okay?” I asked, rousing quickly to meet him.
He smelt of smoke and burnt wood, with some hairs on his face slightly charred.
“There’s been a fire at your house. We lost everyone.” He announced, and I felt my world go black.